1. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol 1, No.1, 2011
Ground Water Quality Assessment Of Nagercoil Town
(Hand Pumps)
A. Subramanian (Corresponding Author)
Assistant Professor
Department Of Zoology, S.T. Hindu College,
Nagercoil – 629 002
Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: Sathish_042010@yahoo.com
Abstract
Physico-chemical characteristics of water samples collected from 15 hand pumps from Vadasery,
Chettikulam and Kottar of Nagercoil Town were analyzed for ground water quality assessments. The
pH of the bore water from study area slightly acidic, where as total alkalinity, total hardness, Nitrate,
Sodium, Pottasium, Iron and Phosphate showed above the permissible limit.
Key Words: Water contamination, Nitrate, Fluoride, Physico-chemical.
1. Introduction
Kanyakumari district, a part of the south Tamil Nadu. The study areas are coming under
Agastheswaram Taluk of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India. The district is located in
between 8º-03’ to 8º-35’ ºN and 77º-15’ to 77º-36, ºS. The district population is 16,76,034 (2001
census) which includes 8,32,269 males and 8,43,765 females spreading in an area of 1672 KM2.
Most of the inhabitants are using hand pumps water, and rest is using well water and municipality
tap water for their domestic purpose. There are equal numbers of modern houses, old as well as
small tiled houses, in the study area. Concern for water shortage for various used, especially, for
domestic purposes has been gaining world wide attention (Anonymous 1994 and Serageldin 1995)
and substitution to this problem utilization of ground water as alternate source for domestic
purposes has been gaining world wide attention (Rahman 1996, Growd 2005, Ravinder et al.2005)
The problem of water shortage is most acute in the Mega cities of developing countries. Hand
pumps are of immense use during water scarcity periods. The residents of this town under server
water shortage resort to using whatever supply may be available. Besides the municipal water
supply, the other sources include harvesting of ground water. This paper examines ground water
quality available through hand pumps of Nagercoil Town.
2. Materials And Methods
The paper is a part of research work on water contamination in Nagercoil Town of Kanyakumari
district. The information presented here is a result of field and laboratory analysis of water quality.
The present work includes the ground water assessment of Nagercoil town of Vadasery,
Chettikulam and kottar water sample was collected in clean disinfected polyethylene containers
from 15 hand pumps.
Water Quality Analysis
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2. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol 1, No.1, 2011
Water quality parameters including physical and chemical characteristics are performed by using
standard procedures.
2.1.1. Estimation of pH
pH measurements of the water samples are performed with the help of a pH meter and the
values are expressed in pH scale.
2.1.2. Estimation of alkalinity
Alkalinity is determined by titration with 0.02 H2SO4 using methyl orange and
phenolphthalein as indicators.
2.1.3. Estimation of total hardness
Total hardness of the water samples are estimated by titration with standard ethylene diamine
tetra acetic acid (EDTA) using calmagite as indicator.
2.1.4. Estimation of Calcium
Calcium reacts with EDTA in the presence of a selective indicator at high pH (12 to 13) and
magnesium is allowed to precipitate as its hydroxide.
2.1.5. Estimation of iron by Ammonium thiocyanide method
Ferric iron combines with thiocyanate ions to form red coloured ferric thiocyanate ions which
is measured colorimetrically.
2.1.6. Estimation of manganese
The manganese salts are oxidized to permanganate by persulphate in acidic medium. The
resulting colour of the permanganate is measured photometrically.
2.1.7. Estimation of Nitrite by photometric method
Acidification of the water samples containing NO2-N leads to the formation of nitrous acid.
By the addition of an aromatic amine (sulphanilamide), a diazonium salt is formed. This
quantitatively couples with a second aromatic amine, N (1-naphthyl) – ethylenediamine
dihydrochloride. This coupling yields a pink azodye with absorption maximum at 540nm.
2.1.8. Estimation of Nitrate (Brucine Sulphate Method)
Nitrate ions react with brucine in con.H2SO4 to form yellow colour which is measured
photometriically. Measure the OD at 410 nm.
3. Results And Discussion
Ground water is a distinguished component of the hydrologic cycle. Water storage and
groundwater with drawal are traditional engineering approaches which will continue to be
followed in future. The chemical quality of ground water is related to the lithology of the area.
Weathered Mantle, soils and atmosphere are the important factors responsible for contribution of
dissolved solids to water. It is impossible to control the dissolution of undesirable constituents in
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3. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol 1, No.1, 2011
the waters after they enter the ground (Johnson 1979). The ground water was found to be colorless,
its odour was unobjectionable and baste agreeable at the hand pumps surveyed.
The pH of hand pump samples was categorized with in the safe limits are per the standards of
Tamil Nadu water supply & orgainse Board, with few exception falling in the acidic range pH of
the bore well water samples in the study areas are with in the permissible limit ie. 6.5 – 8.5 of
Indian standers (WHO 1996) (C/03, V/04) (Fig 1)
The hard water is not suitable for domestic uses such as washing, and laundering. In the present
study the hardness values are ranging from 112-328 Mg/l. Total hardness of the water is defined as
the presence of multivalent of hardness in water is dissolved polyvalent Metallic ions sedimentary
rocks, and run off from soils (WHO 2002). The water samples had total hardness greater than 300
Mg/l May lead to heart and kidney problems (Satya Narayana and Guru Prasad 2006) and is not
suitable for drinking purpose.
Total Dissolved solids (TDS) in water less than 1000 Mg/l has been classified as non-saline
(Anony Mous 1989). So in the present study, few hand pumps found to be under non Saline
category were as follows: C/01 to C/05. (Table 1)
Chloride in the form of chloride ion is one of the Major inorganic anion in water. All water
samples had chloride falling under permissible limits (200-1000 Mg/l).
Excessive levels of fluoride ie above 1.5 Mg/l in the drinking water, may result in dental and
skeletal fluorosis. In the study area all water sample had fluoride falling under desirable limit.
Apart from fluoride nitrate pollution is a major problem is some states in India. Sewage and other
waste rich in nitrate cause blood disorders (Bowman 1994). But in the study area Nitrate falling
above permissible limit. (C/01, C/04, V/04, V/05, K/01) (Table 1, 2, & 3).
As far as iron is concerned water samples from the bore wells are higher than the permissible
limits. (C/01 to C/05, V/01 to V/05, K/01 to K/05). In the present study Sodium, Pottasium and
Phosphate level are more than the permissible limit (Table 1, 2, &3) (C/01 to C/05,
V/01 to V/05, K/01 to K/05).
4. Conclusion
The higher proportion of dissolved constituents are found in ground water, in some study area
because of greater interaction of ground water with various materials in geologic strata.
Acknowledgement
The author Acknowledgement with thanks to Tamilnadu Water supply Board, Nagercoil, Tamil
Nadu, India.
References
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4. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol 1, No.1, 2011
Anonymous,(1989),J.G, Management System To Reduce Nitrates. UK
Anonymous, (1994) “World Resources”, (1994-95). Oxford University Press.
Gowd, S.S. (2005), “Assessment Of Ground Water Quality For Drinking And Irrigation Purpose”.
Environmental Geology 48, PP. 702-712.
Johnson, C.C. (1979), Land Application Of Water An Accident Waiting to Happen Ground Water
17(1), PP. 69-72.
Mamta Rawat and G.R. Jakher, (2008), Indian Journal Of Environmental Science, 12(2), PP. 119-124.
Rainman, A. (1996), “Water Science and Technology” 34 (7-8), PP. 285-292.
Ravinder, G. Ch Ravinder and R.K. Viyaya, (2005), “Ground Water Pollution Due To Dumping Of
Municipal Solid Water at Warangal”. Indian Journal of Environment Protection 25 (6), PP. 523-526.
Satya Narayana. T. and B.Guru Prasad, (2006), “Hydrogeological Study Of Sub-surface Waters Nature,
Environment and Pollution Technology” 5(3), PP. 459-461.
Serageldin, I. (1995), “Towards Sustainable Management Of Water Resources. The World Bank”,
Washington DC.
Subramanian, A. (2010). “Epidemiological Studies on Dental Fluorosis In Rural Population of
Kanyakumari District”, PP. 53-60.
WHO, (1996), Guidelines For Drinking Water Quality. 2nd edition, Vol -2, Health Criteria And Other
Supporting Information. WHO. Geneva.
WHO 2002. Environment Health criteria, 227,. Geneva; 14-20. PP.14-20.
Table .1 physical Chemical Characteristics of Water of hand pumps from Chettikulam
(Except pH, all values are in Mg/l
Id no. of
Sl. Total
Hand pH T.D.S Total Alkalinity Ca Mg Na K Fe No2 No3 Cl F So4 Po4
No hardness
pumps
1. C/01 7.9 1115 320 320 96 29 194 38 1.16 0.03 69 295 0.6 33 0.75
2. C/02 7.1 1148 276 276 68 104 104 44 1.02 0.03 19 335 0.6 39 0.73
3. C/03 6.4 1216 290 290 61 162 162 33 1.09 0.01 7 410 0.7 30 0.69
4. C/04 7.6 1164 309 309 73 128 128 35 1.04 0.30 61 361 0.4 32 0.57
5. C/05 7.5 1139 328 328 92 146 146 43 1.14 0.17 8 390 0.9 38 0.74
Note: Ca - Calcium, Mg - Magnesium, Na - Sodium, Fe - Iron, Mn – Manganese, No2 –
Nitrite, No3 –Nitrate, Cl –Chloride, F-Fluoride, SO4 –Suphate, PO4 –Phosphate.
Table .2 physical Chemical Characteristics of Water of hand pumps from Vadasery
(Except pH, all values are in Mg/l
Sl. Id no. of pH T.D.S Total Alkalinity Total Ca Mg Na K Fe No2 No3 Cl F So4 Po4
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5. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol 1, No.1, 2011
No Hand hardness
pumps
1. V/01 7.3 415 148 112 34 7 94 21 1.21 0.03 10 82 0.4 23 1.75
2. V/02 7.4 580 160 144 43 9 114 10 1.17 0.59 10 146 0.4 34 2.30
3. V/03 7.2 634 181 139 41 6 126 13 1.26 0.62 10 138 0.6 27 2.19
4. V/04 6.9 543 176 126 36 4 109 16 1.13 0.17 48 124 0.5 29 1.83
5. V/05 7.8 586 144 127 39 5 97 13 1.19 0.23 57 110 0.6 32 1.72
Note: Ca - Calcium, Mg - Magnesium, Na - Sodium, Fe - Iron, Mn – Manganese, No2 –
Nitrite, No3 –Nitrate, Cl –Chloride, F-Fluoride, SO4 –Suphate, PO4 –Phosphate.
Table .3 physical and Chemical Characteristics of Water of hand pumps from Kottar
(Except pH, all values are in Mg/l
Id no. of
Sl. Total
Hand pH T.D.S Total Alkalinity Ca Mg Na K Fe No2 No3 Cl F So4 Po4
No hardness
pumps
1. K/01 7.4 652 160 272 69 24 78 18 1.20 0.02 62 182 0.6 27 1.05
2. K/02 7.3 726 152 320 80 29 1132 14 1.09 0.51 19 230 0.4 25 1.90
3. K/03 7.7 818 118 291 71 23 86 19 1.08 0.49 18 190 0.4 25 1.12
4. K/04 7.3 714 123 303 76 24 88 13 1.14 0.44 10 176 0.7 34 1.24
5. K/05 7.2 693 149 319 70 30 106 18 1.23 0.40 12 209 0.6 26 1.07
Note: Ca - Calcium, Mg - Magnesium, Na - Sodium, Fe - Iron, Mn – Manganese, No2 –
Nitrite, No3 –Nitrate, Cl –Chloride, F-Fluoride, SO4 –Suphate, PO4 –Phosphate.
9
7.9 7.7 7.8
8 7.6 7.5
7.3 7.4 7.1
7.4 7.3 7.2 7.3 7.2
6.9
7 6.4
6 chettikulam
5
pH value
4
vadasery
3 kottar
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5
No of Hand pum ps
Figure.1. Reveals The Amount of pH In Bore Well Water From The Study Area (Chettikulam,
Vadasery and Kottar)
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